Portable lamp



Feb. 3, 1942. J. GOULD. JR

PORTABLE LAMP Filed Sept. 6, 1939 INVENTOR James Gnu/a Jr:

ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 3, 1942 PORTABLE LAMP James Gould, Jr., Meriden, Conn, assignor to The Miller Company, Meriden, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Application September 6, 1939, Serial No. 293,531

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to portable lamps, and is more particularly directed toward portable lamps with improved switch control.

The switch control customarily used for portab-le lamps of the type having a plurality of light sources employs a rotary switch placed close up to the lamp socket or sockets employed. This switch is generally inside the shade and as such has been in an inconvenient and awkward position for manipulation. When a person is standing the bottom of the shade is well below the eye, and hence the switch control cannot be easily seen. There is an aggravated groping about for the switch. Furthermore at this position the switch is at too great a height to be easily reached by person seated in a chair alongsid the lamp, thereby making it necessary to arise and look up under the shade in order to get to the switch.

According to the present invention the switch is placed far enough below the bottom of the shade to be readily visible to a person standing near the lamp, or to be easily accessible for operation by a person seated in a chair alongside th lamp.

Lamps equipped with switches such as contemplated by the present invention are therefore much more convenient for use. A person sitting in a chair can readily adjust the lamp to obtain intermediate output or low output. The lights can be turned on or off without the in conveniences which were necessary with the former location of the switch. Furthermore with this relocation of the switch it is possible to provide the switch with suitable indicia to indicate what connections are proper for the desired use of the lamp.

The accompanying drawing shows, for purposes of illustrating the present invention, an embodiment in which the invention may take form, it being understood that the drawing is illustrative of the invention rather than limiting the same.

In this drawing:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective View illustrating a lamp alongside a chair;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view at an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the switch unit; and

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view through the switch unit showing the wiring connections.

A floor lamp having the usual base H], column or standard I I, shade l2, reflector l3 and multiple film lamp bulb I4 is illustrated in the drawing alongside a chair IS. The switch unit is indicated at it, and it will be noted that this switch unit is some distance below the lower edge of the shade so as to bring it at a height above the floor so that it can be be readily reached by a person seated in the chair, as indicated in the drawing. At this elevation it is much more convenient than the usual switch placed in the socket housing.

1 In making up the lamp switch unit It shown in detail in Figures 2, 3 and 4-is mounted on top of the column II and below suitable support for the head of the lamp. It will thus be seen that the switch unit It forms one of the breaks in the assembly of the lamp column.

The switch unit It has a cast body H3 carrying threaded inserts l 9 and 20 so that it can be readily coupled in place. It has a front opening 2| adapted to be closed by a plate 22, this plate carrying a conventional rotary multiple circuit switch 23. The switch operator 24 carries a combined disk and knob 25, the disk element extending down close to the body or casting 18. This disk carries indicia such as the words Out, Relax, Read and Recreation. These may be self-luminous, if desired, and are adjacent to a suitable stationary indicator 26.

From the above it will be apparent that a person standing can readily look at the knob or disk and see just how the connections are made, also that a person seated can not only see the indicia, but can readily reach up to the knob and adjust the switch.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof. I

What is claimed is:

1. A switch unit for a multiple circuit floor lamp comprising a cast hollow body, an internally threaded insert in the lower end of the body to fit onto a lamp column, a similar insert in the upper end of the body to support the head of a multiple circuit fioor lamp, the body having a side opening to receive a switch, a switch inserted through said opening, the switch being spaced from the back of the body to provide space for wires, a switch supporting plate secured across said opening, a switch operator outside the plate, the operator covering the plate and having indicia adapted to be moved past a fixed marker on the body to show the switching connection being established.

2. A switch unit for multiple unit floor lamps, comprising a cast hollow body of generally spherical contour and having axially disposed, internally threaded bosses at the top and bottom so that the body may be interposed between two pipe parts forming a lamp column, the body having a lateral circular opening of sufficient size to admit a switch, an apertured switch supporting plate secured across the opening and carrying a switch inside the body and spaced from the opposite wall of the body to accommodate wiring, the switch having a rotatable operating shaft extending through the aperture in the plate, and an operating knob carried by the shaft and covering the plate.

JAMES GOULD, JR. 

